Influence of Surface Functional Groups on the Hair Growth-Promoting Activities of Nanochitins: An In Vitro Analysis

November 2025 in “ Biomacromolecules ”

Chunsheng Fu, Lihua Chen, Liang Liu, Xingyu Yi, Yimin Fan, Yishan Wang, Chen Shen, Min Sha, Chunyu Cao, Chunsheng Fu, Lihua Chen, Liang Liu, Xingyu Yi, Yimin Fan, Yishan Wang, Chen Shen, Min Sha, Chunyu Cao

nanochitin partially deacetylated nanochitin hydrochloric acid hydrolyzed nanochitin phosphoric acid hydrolyzed nanochitin amphoteric nanochitin VEGF FGF-7 angiogenesis dermal repair DNCh HNCh PNCh ANCh vascular endothelial growth factor fibroblast growth factor 7

TLDR Nanochitins, especially DNCh and PNCh, effectively promote hair growth.

The study developed four types of nanochitins with different surface groups to evaluate their effects on hair growth. All nanochitins were biocompatible, with partially deacetylated nanochitin (DNCh) showing the highest survival rate. They could regulate VEGF and FGF-7 secretion, promoting angiogenesis and dermal repair, with hydrochloric acid hydrolyzed nanochitin (HNCh) having the strongest effect, increasing VEGF by 30.0%. In mice, all nanochitins promoted hair growth, with DNCh and phosphoric acid hydrolyzed nanochitin (PNCh) showing superior outcomes, while amphoteric nanochitin (ANCh) had the most balanced overall effect.

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